Washing apparatus for dishes, silverware, and the like



April 15, 1941. N. KASTBERG 2,238,849

WASHING APPARATUS FOR DISHES, SiLVERWARE, AND THE LIKE Filed June 20,1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l 3mm 5: KdS/(y April 15, 1941. N. KASTBERG2,238,849

WASHING APPARATUS FOR DISHES, SILVERWARE, AND THE LIKE Filed June 20,1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i is-5 Patented Apr. 15, 1941 \VASHIN G APPARATUSFOR DISHES, SILVER- VVARE, AND THE LIKE Nils Kastberg, Ramlosa, Sweden,assignor to Jamestown Metal Equipment Company, Inc., Jamestown, N. Y., acorporation of New York Application June 20, 1940, Serial No. 341,570 InSweden February 21, 1939 6 Claims.

This invention'relates to an improvement in washing or cleansingapparatusfor dishes, tableware, and the like.

Broadly, the invention is directed to the provision of a closedreceptacle in which is contained opposed spray units. These units areconnected,

through a valve device, with a suitable water pressure system, the jetsof each unit being caused to rotate during discharge of spray, the

intensity of which may be varied. The valve device is operable toby-pass water from the system through a container having a solublecleansing agent before passing it through the spray units. A suitablerack or basket containing articlesto be cleansed may be positioned inthe receptacle between the spray units. The apparatus, in use, subjectsarticles to opposed rotating sheets of water optionally with or withoutthe cleansing agent.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an apparatus forcleansing articles such as dishes, tableware and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the classdescribed that requires no motive means for its operation other than 43the pressure of the cleansing liquid as it may be obtained fromcustomary systems.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the classdescribed in which the cleansing liquid as it is delivered theretoserves to constantly alter the positions of the spray units with respectto the articles being cleansed.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the classdescribed in which the cleansing liquid is projected from at least in anapparatus of the class described, sheet spray jets that are adjustableto alter the intensity of the spray emanating therefrom.

Other objects and advantages of the invention, beyond those already setforth, will be more fully understood and appreciated from aconsideration of the following specification, taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings; and in-which Figure 1 is a perspectiveview ofa closed receptacle embodyingone form of the invention;

.Figure 2 is a side'elevational view'of the-structure of Figure l, thenear wall being broken awayto disclose the interior structure;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the receptacle,

a part of the'cover being broken away to disclose the location of acontainer for a cleansingagent;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical end view, taken substantially asindicated at 4-4 of Figure 3, parts being broken away to disclosecertain structural details;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the interior parts of the receptacleshowing the water connections with upper and lower spray units and apart of the container for a cleansing agent;

Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through one of the sprayunits;

Figures 7 and 8 are enlarged vertical sectional veiws, takensubstantially as indicated at '|l of Figure 6, illustratin twopositionsof adjustment of the jets by which the spray intensity may be altered;

Figure 9 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through a valvemechanism, positioned to pass the incoming liquid directly from thereceptacle inlet to the spray units; and

Figure 10 is another vertical sectional view of the valve rotated toby-pass the incoming liquid through the cleansing agent container priorto its reaching the spray units.

'Reference is now had to the drawings wherein the numeral ii] isemployed to generally designate a receptacle suitable for embodiment ofone form of the invention. The receptacle may be of any desired size andform and includes a base it and side and end panels l2 and I3,respectively. The panels (2 and I3 may be integrally joined in roundedcorners as disclosed, or in any other conventional manner. A suitablerim l4 may be applied to the common upper edge of the panels and may besomewhat resilient to properly seat a cover I B. The cover is pivotallyjoined to one of the panels, such, for example, as end panel 13, throughthe use of hinge members H. A handle I8 is conveniently located adjacentthe free end of the cover for the purpose of swinging said cover aboutthe hinges i! from one position to another. The present modification ofthe invention is intended to be of such proportions as to be readilyportableand, therefore, suitable handles 59 are shown applied to the endpanels 13.

The body of the receptacle at one end may be fitted with a panel 2! thatterminates in a horizontal plate 22. Thispanel, when in place,cooperates with a portion of the walls of the receptacle to form acontainer 23 in which it is contemplated to place a cleansing agent. Itis of course apparent that a separate container for this purpose may bemounted in the receptacle and be of proportions and location other thandisclosed. The panel 2| and adjacent end panel l3 are correspondinglyrecessed to accommodate a tube 24 that connects the interior with theexterior of the receptacle and serves as a drain for the liquidcontents. The plate or top 22 of the container 23 is apertured toreceive a member 26. This member may be of any desired proportions andis adapted to contain a cleansing agent, being suitably perforated orotherwise provided with openings for permitting the agents going intosolution with liquid passing through the container. For convenience, themember 26 may be readily removed from the container 23 by unscrewing acap 21. It will be understood that the cap 21, when in place, has afluid tight connection with the top 22 of the container.

A pipe 28, in the present disclosure, projects downwardly into thecontainer 23 and thence outwardly through the end panel 13, terminatingin a coupling 29. One end of a hose 3| is joined to the coupling 28 andthe other end with the hot water faucet of a conventional Water system.A three-way valve 32 is provided with orifices 33, 34 and 35. The otherend of pipe 28 connects with orifice 35 of this valve. Another pipe 31,connected with orifice 33, projects into and terminates in an open endin the container 23. A further pipe 38 projects into the orifice 34 ofthe valve. Adjacent the valve the pipe 36 is fitted with a short pipe 39that projects into the container 23. Beyond the connection of pipe 39,pipe 38 opens into pipe 4|. The valve 32 may be of conventional designand includes a cylindrical chamber 42 with which orifices 33, 34 and 35connect. A shaft 43 fits the chamber 42 and is formed with a T-shapedpassageway 44. It is to be noted that the valve 32 is attached in anyconventional manner to the end panel l3 and the shaft 43 thereofprojects exteriorly of the receptacle, being fitted with a suitablehandle 46.

As shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5, the invention includes two spray units41 and 43. With the exception of the fact that unit 48 is carried by thecover 16 and unit 41 mounted on the base H, they are identical and onlyone will be described in detail. Pipe 4|, as shown in Figure 5, extendsto the bottom wall II and thence along said wall to a central positionin the receptacle, terminating in a support 49. The upper end of thesupport is open and internally threaded to receive the lower end of atubular member This member is closed at its upper end and provided withlateral passageways 52. A look nut 53, or corresponding structure,prevents disengagement of the tube from the support. Encircling thecentral portion of the tube is a bearing 54, the inner race 56 of whichis fixed thereto in any suitable manner. The outer race 51 of thebearing rests upon a bottom plate 58. This plate cooperates with acup-shaped member 59 to enclose the bearing, being secured to saidmember in any suitable manner, as by screws 6 I. The upper end of themember 59 is formed with a cylindrical, horizontally disposed chamber62, with the open ends of which tubular spray jets 63 are engaged. A capscrew 64 closes an opening in the top of the chamber 62. It is to benoted that the upper end of the tubular member 5| is within the chamber62 and that the member 59, plate 58, and jets 63 are free to rotate onthe bearing 54 about said tubular member.

The jets 63, in the present disclosure, are opened tubes. One end ofeach tube is engaged with the member 59, whereas the other end is closedby a cap screw 66. Intermediate its ends each jet is formed with anupwardly opening slot 81. Encircling the jet is a sleeve 66 that ispreferably formed with a full length slot 69, the width of which may bethe same or greater than the width of slot 61. The sleeve 68 is adaptedto en gage the jet closely enough to prevent inadvertent relativeadjustment of slots 61 and 69 and at the same time permit manualadjustment for the purpose of varying the width of the slit caused by acoincidence of the slots 61 and 69. The spray unit 48 is attached bymeans of the supporting member 49 to the inside of the cover l6. One endof a flexible tube H connects this support with the pipe 4 l Angleplates 12 or other suitable supports may be secured to the interior sideWalls l2 of the receptacle. These plates serve to mount a rack or basket13. It will be noted that the basket is of such height as will fitWithin the space between the bottom and top spray units 41 and 48. Thebasket is formed from any suitable stainless material and is ofsufficiently open design as to permit liquid from the spray units toreadily penetrate and contact articles contained therein. No specificdisclosure is made of an arrangement in the basket for dishes,tableware, etc., since this may be varied as the particular needs of theinvention may require.

Having set forth the structural features of one modification of theinvention, operation thereof is as follows: A suitable cleansing agent,such as flake or stick soap, is placed in the member 26, the cap 21 thenbeing secured in place. The rack 13 is filled with articles it isdesired to cleanse and placed within the receptacle on the support ingplates 12. The cover I6 is then closed and may be secured in closedposition, if found necessary, although it is contemplated that theweight of the upper spray unit, combined with the cover, will besuificient to hold it in place. The handle 46 of the valve 42 is rotatedto connect orifices 33 and 35 through passageway 44. Thus hot waterflowing through pipe 28 will pass out of the valve 32, through pipe 31into the container 23. When the container has filled, water passestherefrom through the short pipe 39, into pipe 38, and thence into pipe41, which is directly connected with the spray units 41 and 48. It iscontemplated that the pressure of a conventional water system producessufficient agitation in the compartment 23 to continuously take up intosolution the cleansing agent in the member 26. It will be understood,however, that the relative arrangement of pipe 31 and member 26 may bealtered to increase or decrease the rapidity and extent to which thewater takes up the cleansing agent. The water passes through the tubularmember 5|, passageways 52, chamber 62 and thence into jets 63. Thepressure of the water is sufficient to cause escapement through slots 61and 69, and such escapement produces a sheet of spray the length of eachjet. It is to be noted that slots 61 and 69 of one jet are inclinedsomewhat from'the vertical and in an opposite direction to those of theother jet, and thus the force of the water causes the. jets to revolveabout their bearings at a suflicient rate of speedto throw water withconsiderable force on to the upper and under surfaces of all 'of thearticles contained in the basket 13.

The articles in the basket having been subjected to hot cleansing waterfor a suflicient period, the handle 46 is rotated to change the valve tothe position shown in Figure 9. In this instance, the passageway 44 ofthe valve connects orifices 35 and 34. Thus the water supplied throughpipe 28 passes directly from the valve, through pipe 38 and pipe 4|, andthence to the spray units. Although pipe 39 is open, it will beunderstood that the container 23 is filled with liquid and, there beingno other outlet from the container, none of the clear water enters saidcontainer but rather passes directly to the spray units. When therinsing operation has been completed, the water is turned oil" at itssource, or the valve may be rotated to a position midway between theposition shown in Figures 9 and 10. The cover I6 is then raised and thebasket of cleansed articles removed.

It is to be particularly noted that the jets 63 are susceptible toadjustment to vary the intensity of the sheet of spray issuingtherefrom. If it is desired to produce a finer sheet of spray, thesleeve 68 is rotated to substantially the position indicated in Figure 8of the drawings wherein the slots do not quite coincide and slot 61 isclosed by the sleeve. pressure of the water forces a portion of thesleeve slightly away from the slot 61, allowing a line sheet of water topass from the jet. If a greater sheet of water is desired, the sleevemay be rotated to bring the slots 67 and 69 into alignment.

Although applicant has shown and described only one modification of anapparatus for cleansing dishes, tableware and the like, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that the strucber, said jet havinga slot extending longitudinally of and substantially the full length ofsaid jet, and tubular means on said jet for varying the width of saidslot whereby to control the force and volume of water expelled therefromwhen said unit is connected with a water presa sure system.

2. In an apparatus for cleansing dishes and the like having a pair ofspaced apart opposed stationary spray units and means connecting saidunits with a water pressure system; with a ro- With the jet so adjusted,r

tatable spray jet for each of said units, said jet having asubstantially full length longitudinally extending slot, and meansextending the full length of said slot, said means being adjustabletransversely of said jet to partially or fully close said slot wherebyto vary the force and volume of water to be expelled from said jet.

3. In an apparatus for cleansing dishes and the like, a stationary sprayunit, a rotatable member on said unit, a tubular jet on said memher,said jet having a slot extending longitudinally of and substantially thefull length of said jet, and means extending the full length of saidslot, said means being adjustable transversely of said jet to vary thewidth of said slot whereby to control the force and volume of Waterexpelled therefrom when said unit is connected with a water pressuresystem.

4. In an apparatus for cleansing dishes and the like, a stationary sprayunit, a rotatable member on said unit, a tube engaged at one end withsaid member, a cap closing the other end of said tube, said tube havinga slot extending substantially from said member tosaid cap, and a splitsleeve on said tube intermediate said member and said cap, said sleevebeing rotatable to vary the width of said slot whereby to control theforce and volume-of water expelled therefrom when said unit is connectedwith a water pressure system.

5. In an apparatus for cleansing dishes and the like, a stationary sprayunit, a rotatable member on said unit, opposed revolvable spray jets onsaid unit, each of said jets having a substantially full lengthlongitudinally extending slot, the slot of one of said jets beingdirected at an angle to that of the other of said jets, and meansextending the full length of each of said slots, said means beingadjustable transversely of said jets to alter the efiective angulardirection of said slots and vary the force and volume of water expelledtherefrom when said unit is connected with a water pressure system.

6. In an apparatus for cleansing dishes and the like, having a pair ofspaced apart opposed

